Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 522

Gregory to Vincentius, Innocentius, Marinianus, Libertinus, Agatho, and Victor, bishops of Sardinia. We have learned that it is the custom of your island, after the Paschal festival, that, either by your going, or by your responsals being sent, to your metropolitan—whether you know it or not—he ought to make known to you concerning the coming Pascha by written announcement. And, as it is said, certain of you, putting off doing this according to custom, also pervert the hearts of others to disobedience. It is added, moreover, that some of you, on account of causes emerging for your Churches, seeking parts across the sea, dare to travel without the knowledge of your said metropolitan or without his letters, as the order of the canons appoints.

We exhort therefore your Fraternity that, following the ancient custom of your Churches, both as to receiving the Paschal announcement, and also if necessity should compel any of you to travel anywhere for your own causes, you ought to ask of that same metropolitan of yours according to the rule enjoined upon you, and presume not to slight him in anything; except if—which we do not desire—it should happen that you have any matter of cause against that same metropolitan of yours, so that on this account those who hasten to seek it may have liberty for the judgment of the apostolic see, which you know is permitted even by the canons through the institution of the ancient fathers (Gratian 26, q. 7, c. 45). Gregory to Callinicus, exarch of Italy.

Meanwhile, as to the victories over the Slavs which you announced to me, know that I have been relieved with great gladness, because the bearers of these presents, hastening to be joined from the island of Capraia to the unity of the holy Church, have been transmitted by your Excellency to the blessed Peter, prince of the apostles. For in this you more greatly prevail against your enemies, if those whom you recognize to be enemies of God you recall under the yoke of the true Lord; and you conduct your own causes among men with all the more strength, the more you conduct God's causes among men with a sincere and devoted mind.

But as to the fact that you wished to be shown me the copy of the order which was transmitted to you for the defence of the schismatics, your Excellency—most sweet to me—ought to have weighed carefully that, although that order itself was surreptitiously obtained, nevertheless in it you were not commanded to repel those coming to the unity of the Church, but not to compel at this uncertain time those unwilling to come. Wherefore it is necessary that you should hasten to suggest these same things to our most pious emperors, so that they may learn that in their times the schismatics, with the help of Almighty God and by your labour, hasten of their own accord to return.

But what I have decreed concerning the ordination of the island of Capraia, your Excellency shall learn through our most reverend brother and fellow-bishop Marinianus. But know this, that it saddened me not a little that the major-domo of your household, who received the petition of the bishop wishing to return, professed that he had lost it, and afterwards it was held by the adversaries of the Church. Which I judge to have been done not through negligence, but through his venality. Wherefore I marvel that your Excellency did not at all avenge this fault in him. Yet, because I marvelled at this, I quickly reproved myself. For where lord Justinus gives counsel—who has not peace with the Catholic Church—there heretics cannot be given over.

Besides, you declare that you wish to keep the birthday (feast) of the holy Peter, prince of the apostles, in the city of Rome. And we pray Almighty God that He may protect you by His mercy and grant to fulfil your vows. But the aforesaid most eloquent man—I ask that he come along; who, if he does not come, let him withdraw from your service. Or certainly, if your Excellency perchance, from emerging causes, be unable to come, let him either communicate with the unity of the holy Church, or I ask that he be not a partaker of your counsels. For I hear him to be a good man, were he not of the worst error. But as to the cause of Maximus—since we can no longer bear the importunity of your sweetness—what we have decreed, you shall learn from Castorius the notary who will suggest it. (Cf. John

the Deacon, Book III, chapter 44).